Rabies Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Bandicoot Bite
You do not need rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for a bandicoot bite, as bandicoots (small marsupials/rodent-like mammals) are not known rabies vectors and have never been documented to transmit rabies to humans.
Risk Assessment for Small Mammal Bites
- Small rodents and rodent-like mammals are almost never found to be infected with rabies and have not been documented to transmit rabies to humans 1
- Even in areas with endemic wildlife rabies, small mammals remain an extremely low-risk species for rabies transmission 1
- The CDC does not recommend rabies PEP for bites from small rodents or similar small mammals unless the animal's behavior was highly unusual or local public health authorities advise otherwise 1
Immediate Wound Management Required
You must immediately and thoroughly wash the bite wound with soap and water for 15 minutes, then apply a virucidal agent such as povidone-iodine solution to the wound 1, 2
- Wound cleansing alone markedly reduces the likelihood of infection and is especially important in bite wound management 2
- Gentle irrigation with water or dilute povidone-iodine solution significantly decreases the risk for bacterial infection 2
Other Essential Considerations
- Check your tetanus vaccination status and receive a booster if needed 1, 2
- Assess for bacterial infection risk, which is a more significant concern than rabies with small mammal bites 1
- Consider antibiotic prophylaxis based on wound characteristics (puncture wounds, hand wounds, or contaminated wounds warrant prophylaxis) 3
- Monitor the wound for signs of infection: swelling, erythema, tenderness, or drainage 4
When to Consult Public Health
If the bandicoot exhibited highly unusual behavior (unprovoked attack, neurological signs, excessive aggression), consultation with local public health authorities is warranted, though rabies remains extremely unlikely 1